1. I gazed amid the throng of riders where the branches overhung
To see if ruins quenched their thirst beneath the valley's brink,

2. And hid the love and troth within me that hastes to knit each end -
Beginnings to its endings in impatient heartèd link.

3. I said “Turn off! The valley road would gratify our wish.”
For not my people, but love for ‘Alwa tempted me, I think.

4. So I saluted then a camp which laughed from every stripe,
And slumb'ring there outwelled the passion I so fain would hide.

5. They knew I turned their steeds away; reproachfully they cried
As they endured the fiery trials of that flame-scorched land:

6. "To Al-‘Ara ̄k's vale you came and visited its site;
Misled by you, how easily one wanders from the right!”

7. A while I gained the valley's shade, so let their blame abound!
I neither heard them nor their words could wound as they had hoped.

8. That site deserved our courtesy with greetings without end,
Such as the train-bands of the rain impart to lightning's strike

9. That trip upon the fringes and hems of tents when storms
Have clutched and dragged their skirts across the land in lightning’s wake;

10. Nights that outwatch the dawn, though traveling birds take wing
When sunlight fails, and purple shadows drape the mountain side.

11. Naught's left but wakeful thoughts of her, the meadows lush and green,
Since gifts meant naught to her whose milk of mares is but a dream.

12. Gone are those valley-lodges since; changed is their aspect now
As eyes of wandering asses by some nomad child misled.

13. I wonder whether comrade or the days within me wrought
Deceit, or drought stripped bare the pasture lands and there lies dead.

14. She stood amid Arabian steeds as though a wild cow led
Her calves to drink while forest denizens filled up the night,

15. As though to scribe on parchment-skins were wondrous union beads
Whereto gazelles lent eyes as serving women lent their hands.

16. No rest until the stalwart knight sates fully his desire
When ugly evil jinn awake, arise, and dance upright!...

17. An imam we visit knowing that God comprehends
That he can bear the hardships that sublime deeds would requite.

18. Though all the paths seem narrow to his growing repute,
Locked doors have opened everywhere to him both left and right.

19. O you, the cousin of the chosen one, our litters leap to you,
Prepared to bear both packs and robes, equipment packed inside.

20. Though bitter winds and sun glare at us on the road, and yet
Youth's glory may be gained although his garb be travel-stained

21. Of me naught's left for secret sports, nor for my friend but stoles,
Cloaks, for such revels made, dyed garments we cast off and hide.

22. Through justice, by your governance and rule, our days shone bright.
What are the wastes but for their lions, foemen of the beasts!

23. By lions can a jungle to the crowds profane be dight?
You faced the wars courageous, fierce, and no

24. Tall champions could make your slicing stroke recoil aside!...
Your self-possession calmed the fright that sorely troubled us

25. Though heroes trembled at the fury war roused far and wide
The soul's caprices you pursued, so words and deeds declared

26. A lovingkindness that the hearts inside shyly would hide...
You quelled the sharpened swords aflash as though they were at rest

27. Even as the mares were gently calmed when terror terrified
While rancor raised its discord vile and spread among the folk

28. Its far extending valleys of sure death on every side;
But for your patience, matters ripe and swelling to a head

29. Among the brawlers, rioters, had clashed and scattered wide
The core of Hashim's house refined; ‘tis you the pulpits tell

30. And minbars with your exploits as their substance spread outside
Through you has ‘Amr gained glory, and through you has ‘A ̄mir gained;

31. God's uncles nurtured you; their loins have sired you and supplied...
Proud cousin mine, ‘Ulaiy made lustrous by your light:

32. The lovely one of Rebì‘a's clan by you intensified!...
They are the folk who entertain high hopes of your desire

33. As gracious sayings with the beautiful hour coincide
With rainfall from your rainclouds, hands unfailingly gave:

34. There destiny and aspiration would leap up, spread and ride
They enriched when they were kind; forgave when they were wronged;

35. Argued at need, but if they struggled, then they overcame and pried.
Their exploits - were I asked, months could not quantify the tale,

36. While poetry draws hope for that detail songs have not yet tried
Much flattering excess I've cast behind me to decay

37. Better stinginess of hand than loss of soul betide!
The orthodox successors only would content my goal;

38. Unaffected is my thought; reproach fades and subsides
Your bounty alone gives freedom to my shoulders, though

39. Far more binding are entitlements' shoulders heavy-tried!